Model 36 Chief's Special

I'm guessing 1971-1972.

Found this on the web:

Early J frame serial numbers
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50 and pre model number versions.

1950 = start at 1
1952 = 7369 - 21342
1953 = 28916
1955 = 55050 - 75000
1957 = 117770 - 125000
1962 = starts at 295000
1969 = ends at 786544

J serial Prefix serial numbers.
For models 36, 37, 38, 49, 50.

1969-1970 = J1 - J99999
1971-1972 = 1J1 - 999J99
1973-1974 = J100000 - J250000
1975-1976 = J250001 - J370000
1976-1977 = J370001 - J610000
1977-1978 = J610001 - J670000
1979-1980 = J670001 - J760000
1981 = J760001 - J915400
1982 = J915401 - 1J18600
1983 = 1J18601 - 1JXXXX

1955 - 4 screw side plate ends
1957 - stamping of model number at 125000
1966 - flat latch ends
1968 - diamond grips end
1975 - heavy barrel standard
1982 - end pinned barrel

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Collectors pay for Letters to add to the value of their scarce or unusual S&W guns. I would not get a letter from S&W for your revolver. It's a good gun, but neither scarce or unusual.

Post the SN on this thread:

DOB thread for S&W Revolvers
http://www.thehighroad.org/showthread.php?t=372213

The responses are usually very quick!

Look for the serial # on the bottom of the grip frame. 672J83 sounds like an in-house assembly number.

vanagon40 is correct - 1971 to 1972. The "J" during this time appeared in different positions within the SN, so it has come to be known as the "wandering J" period.

DickM said:

vanagon40 is correct . . . .

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Those words sound so sweet and yet so rarely heard.

Will you marry me DickM?

___________________________________________________

If a man makes a statement but there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong?

I have a M36 that's just a few years younger than the one you're getting. (1975 vintage) You will not regret buying that revolver, I know I'm not sorry I did. Not only are you getting a great revolver but it's also like owning a little piece of history. (IMO of course) Don't forget to post pictures when you get it home...

Will you marry me DickM?

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upon closer inspection that is one heck of a funny sentence

vanagon40 said:

Those words sound so sweet and yet so rarely heard.

Will you marry me DickM?

___________________________________________________

If a man makes a statement but there is no woman to hear him, is he still wrong?

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ROTFLMFAO!

That strated the day right.

They are nice revolvers in that era. My "always" gun is a round butt, "Airweight" version of the steel M36, the aluminum-framed Model 37, and mine's a 1971 vintage.

It was originally owned by a widow's second husband (she survived three), and it was #2's nightstand gun. Probably hadn't been fired twenty times in all those years. I've had it a couple of years now an it is a nice, nice revolver to complement my 1964 Model 36 round butt.

I'm quite fond of the J-frames!

Here's my M37, with a gloss black Tyler like the set up you are contemplating:


My original, serial numbered to the gun stocks were too nice to keep on that gun, so today they are saved in the safe, and it wears a set of Patrick Grashorn (Grashorn Gun Works) American Elk Stags. Sturdy and beautiful . . . and not either my first or last set of stags from Patrick either!

The Js make great carry pieces and there is nothing like carrying the 36 a piece of history that can save your life.
I have found that with the right grips they can be quite accurate out to some large distances

Here comes a 36 pic thread:

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View attachment 117984

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WOW mesinge2,

That's a lot of grip on that top example.

That's a pre-36 from 1955-57 with Smith and Wesson model 10 sized conversion grips, not +P rated.

I use Buffalo Bore Wad cutters in it for target practice and competition only.

It does not get carried